Rockford's $250-Million School Plan Approved

Rockford is moving forward with a massive 10-year plan to revamp its elementary schools. The School Board approved the 250-million dollar plan last night on a five to one vote, with one abstention.

Credit Susan Stephens / WNIJ

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aired 8/13/14 on WNIJ's Morning Edition

Under the plan, eight elementary schools will close, two new ones will be built, and improvements will be made at the rest of the schools. A number of residents spoke in opposition to the plan, saying the district was favoring bricks and mortar over education. Superintendent Ehren Jarrett says public input from more than 40 meetings helped shape the final plan:

"Everyone had an opportunity to be heard and I think the best time to be heard is when there was an opportunity to have a two-way dialogue. And so, so many people weighed in along the way, and the plan got better and better, and I think we will not only be able to improve learning environments, but learning outcomes."

The board also voted to place a referendum on the fall ballot to ask voters for permission to build two new schools, using existing funds. If that is approved, construction could start late next year. Some students could find themselves assigned to new schools as early as the 2015 school year.

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A plan to close eight Rockford elementary schools and build two new ones is on its way to a vote by the school board. Last night, the school district held the last of 39 public meetings about the proposal.

Rockford needs fewer, larger elementary schools. More modern classrooms. One early education center for each quadrant of the city. It’s all part of a $250 million plan to improve every elementary school, except for the 7 to 9 targeted for closing.